Two of the most noteworthy things I ever did in life occurred on back-to-back days in September of 2006. It was September 9 and September 10, as a matter of fact, and though it doesn’t seem possible, I realize now those events were 20 years ago.

On September 9, 2006, I made my first and only trip to see, well, not just football… Notre Dame football at its titular stadium in South Bend, Indiana. That day I saw the Fighting Irish come away with a convincing victory against the visitors from Penn State. (Yeah, Paterno and company.)

The following day I was back in Binghamton, hosting as I did in those days, a celebration of jazz and politics–sort of–recording a live album at the On Q Jazz Club on North Depot Street. (Don’t bother finding it now; it closed nearly two decades ago.) That night was supposed to be a campaign fundraiser for me as well, but as referenced here not long ago, it was not meant to be. As I said that night:

“Tonight you were supposed to hear about my campaign. Instead, you’ll just hear about… me.”

My favorite subject.

Twenty years later… still is.